Tapir, Guia de Fauna. RutaChile

Familia: Tapiridae
Genero: Tapirus
Nombre Cientifico: terrestris

Local names: tapir amazónico, tapir, anta, tatabra, mbeorí, mboreví or sachavaca

It is distributed in the lowlands of the east of the Andes, in the north and center of South America, in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela. In Ecuador, this species is present in the Amazon and low foothills of the Andes, in humid tropical and subtropical forests.

It is the largest land mammal in South America. It measures from 1.7 to 2.5 m in length and weighs up to 300 kg; tail 5 to 10 cm long; to the cross it measures from 75 to 110 cm; grayish body, dark brown, brown ears with white tips. It has a tube in the upper lip. It has a narrow and erect mane from the tail to the neck.

They are excellent swimmers and divers, and they also move fast on land, even in mountainous terrain. They have a longevity of 25 to 30 years. In the wild, it is preyed by alligators, anacondas, felines like the jaguar, and the puma that attack it at night, when they leave the water and sleep on the coast. They are partially diurnal; terrestrial and aquatic; lonely or in pairs.

Countries where lives Tapir

ARGENTINA     BOLIVIA     BRASIL     COLOMBIA     ECUADOR     PARAGUAY     PERU     VENEZUELA